Better Know a Branch Campus: Penn State Wilkes-Barre

There are 24 campuses in the Penn State system. The one that gets the most attention is University Park, but what about the other 23? That’s where we come in with our newest 23 part series, Better Know a Branch Campus, inspired by Stephen Colbert’s Better Know a District. Next up: Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Name: Penn State Wilkes-Barre, The Fightin’ Barres! Of all the “Fightin'” nicknames we’ve had so far, this is unequivocally the most terrifying.

Chancellor: Dr. Charles Davis.

Enrollment: Last week, we had Shenango, the smallest branch campus in the Penn State system. This week, we have Wilkes-Barre, the second smallest branch campus in the Penn State system, with an enrollment of 683 students.

Location: The campus is located in Lehman, Pennsylvania, and is approximately 120 miles from State College, 121 miles from Philadelphia, and 256 miles from Pittsburgh.

Fun Fact: Penn State Wilkes-Barre has one of the only four-year surveying programs in the entire country. In fact, it’s not even offered at the University Park campus, only at Wilkes-Barre.

History: Wilkes-Barre is the third oldest branch campus at Penn State, having opened in 1916. It only taught night classes to engineering students at what is currently known as Coughlin High School up until the 1947. However, the school began offering regular courses, and in 1953, began offering associates degrees, and in 1963, moved to its current location.

Right Now: There are 94 professors — 38 full-time — at the campus, and doesn’t offer any on-campus housing. It does, however, have a listing of off-campus housing near the campus. Penn State Wilkes-Barre offers six bachelors and four associates degrees.

Story Time: No stories this week. We’re in a bit of a dry spell, folks. Here’s a video of corgis to make up for it.

Next Time: Penn State Worthington Scranton! We’re winding down right now, let’s end on a high note. Email me awesome stories from the place. I’m cool with just about anything you’d have to say.